Nikela Blog Archives - Nikela: Helping People Saving Wildlife

Tough to admit that we must abort our trip from South Africa to Ethiopia

Dec 12, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Nikela Blog Tagged: Margrit's mother dies, Safari 2018-2019

It was in Lusaka, Zambia when the word came that caused us to abort our trip from South Africa to Ethiopia. Actually, just a day before we’d planned to drive up to Kasanka National Park where the fruit bats find refuge. Supposedly these odd looking tawny creatures migrate here every year without fail. Supposedly the project also could use some help… sadly, don’t they all! My sister’s email read, “I know you’re somewhere enroute to Ethiopia. Mum is not well. We’re flying in (from Australia) on Sunday.” Just a month earlier we’d left her in decent health there in Kwazulu-Natal,…

Young Balule elephant shot 13 times before horrified guests

Dec 9, 2018 · by Nikela Volunteer/Guest blogger · In: elephant, Nikela Blog, trophy hunting, wildlife conservation Tagged: APNR, Conservation Action Trust, Kruger National Park, trophy hunting

Just as the furor about the trophy hunting of the pride male named Skye began abating, another incident, the shooting of a young Balule elephant, has highlighted the ethics of hunting in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) alongside the Kruger National Park. This time the victim, a young Bulele elephant, was shot 13 times within sight of traumatized guests. Balule is a reserve within the APNR. After the first shot, the elephant began screaming and its cries were only silenced 12 shots later. Guests staying at Parsons Nature Reserve near the boundary of Maseke Nature Reserve were relaxing on…

A Journey With Marnus Who Loves Wild Lions – Part 1

Dec 5, 2018 · by Russ · In: Human Wildlife Conflict, lion, Marnus, Nikela Blog Tagged: Botswana, human-wildlife conflict, Marnus Roodbol, Namibia, saving lions

Tell me? Who has the will or courage to single-handedly protect 60 wild lions from poachers and irate farmers in the bush of Africa. Well, Marnus loves wild lions so he tried. Now if you have connections to heavy pockets it could be a bit easier. Some conservation projects start with high level connections to government and lots of caring people. Thus they find tons of funding, have new kitted Land Cruisers and tons of other cool stuff. Then they hire lots of staff and get to work. It would still be a tough job though. What if you didn’t…

Beware: The Vile Practice of Hunting Wildlife with Dogs

Nov 28, 2018 · by Wildlife Margrit · In: Animal Poaching, illegal hunting, Nikela Blog Tagged: Marnus Roodbol, poaching

“Run little Duiker run!” I yelled to myself. The yelping dogs were too far down the hill for me to do anything. Someone was hunting wildlife with dogs. Once before I’d been able to intervene. A little buck came running passed the Landy in our camp. “That’s odd!” I thought. Then two dogs I’d never seen before in pursuit. I ran towards them yelling. They turned and ran. At least for a few yards. Hopefully this gave the duiker enough time to get away. Today however, things didn’t turn out well. On returning from our morning walk I caught sight…

Go with the flow! AKA 2018 African Safari Update #3

Nov 21, 2018 · by Russ · In: #NikelaAfrica, elephant, Human Wildlife Conflict, Living in a Landy, Nikela Blog Tagged: Safari 2018-2019, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Our African Safari update is a bit different than expected. Remember the moto “Go with the Flow”? Well, it’s been flowing all over the place these past 7 weeks. After the amazing experiences in Mana Pools Zimbabwe, we headed north across the border to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. There we hunkered down for a week for some much needed rest and to catch up on our videos etc. On the way we stopped in Chirundu Zimbabwe and stayed at the Jecha Point Fishing Lodge. We just wanted to overnight but were overwhelmed by Iona’s friendliness and obvious love for…

Nikela Blog

Tough to admit that we must abort our trip from South Africa to Ethiopia

Young Balule elephant shot 13 times before horrified guests

A Journey With Marnus Who Loves Wild Lions – Part 1

Beware: The Vile Practice of Hunting Wildlife with Dogs

Go with the flow! AKA 2018 African Safari Update #3

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